Honda revealed a trio of new cars for India at Auto Expo 2018. While the new Amaze and the returning Civic grabbed all the headlines, it is the all-new Honda CR-V SUV that really caught our eye.
The new Honda CR-V may look similar to the one currently on sale in India, but it brings with its an extra row of seats a new diesel engine and accompanying automatic gearbox and a host of other features that could make it a surefire hit in India. But are all these new features and options enough to keep customers away from established rivals like the Hyundai Tucson and the Volkswagen Tiguan when the new Honda CR-V is launched in the middle of the year?
Honda CR-V Design & Features
The new 5th-generation Honda CR-V's design is an evolution of the styling of the SUV currently on sale in India. However, the new CR-V is noticeably longer and wider than the current car to accommodate the extra space added on in the haunches and the rear for the third row of seats.
The sleek new angular headlamps look sharp and flank the chromed out section of the grille which hosts the Honda badge front and centre. The front bumper plays host to the rectangular fog lamps on either end and body cladding.
View the CR-V from the side, and the extra size in the rear can be easily seen at a glance. Also seen on the sides is the body cladding and the beefed-up wheel arches which are larger to give new CR-V a more butch look.
The rear end of the new CR-V is dominated by the L-shaped taillights that flank the rear windscreen. Connecting the taillights of the new Honda CR-V together is a strip of chrome that plays host to the Honda badge. The rear end like the rest of the car features the plastic body cladding as well.
Inside, the dashboard of the new Honda CR-V features a layered look with wood inserts that can also be seen on the doors as well. At the centre of the dash is a large touchscreen infotainment display underneath which sit the controls for the climate control system. if owners opt for the automatic gearbox option, then the regular gear knob is replaced by a set of buttons which is unlike anything we've seen before.
The Honda CR-V's interior is more spacious than ever thanks to the wider body and longer wheelbase. However, while the seats up front are larger the new third row of seats that are best fit for kids to sit in. The seats of the Honda CR-V are upholstered in leather.
Honda CR-V Fact Sheet
| Expected Launch | mid-2018 |
| Expected Starting Price | Rs 23 lakh |
| Fuel Used | Petrol/Diesel |
| Engine Type | 4-cyl, Naturally Aspirated/ 4-cyl turbo |
| Engine Displacement | 2,354cc/ 1,597cc |
| Power | 181bhp/ 158bhp |
| Torque | 240Nm/ 350Nm |
| Transmission | 5-speed AT / 9-speed AT |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive & All-Wheel Drive |
Honda CR-V Specifications & Performance
The new Honda CR-V for India will come with two engine options. The first is the tried and tested 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine which cranks out181bhp @ 6,400rpm and 240Nm of torque @ 3,900rpm and is paired with an automatic gearbox.
The new engine option for the CR-V is a new 1.6-litre twin-turbocharged diesel engine that is produced at Honda's production facility in Tapukara, Rajasthan. The new diesel engine produces 158bhp @ 4,000rpm and 350Nm of torque @ 2,000rpm and is mated to a brand new nine-speed automatic gearbox from ZF.
We expect the diesel all-wheel-drive (which will be offered as an option) variant of the new CR-V to sell like hotcakes in India and the added torque on offer should be able to help push the extra 142 kilos of girth the CR-V has gained with ease while remaining frugal.
Honda CR-V Launch Date & Expected Price
The new Honda CR-V is expected to launch in India in the middle of 2018 with prices starting at around Rs 23 lakhs ex-showroom (Delhi) for the base petrol variant. The new Honda CR-V will rival the likes of the Hyundai Tucson and the Volkswagen Tiguan.
DriveSpark's Thoughts On The New Honda CR-V
The new Honda CR-V has become more practical with the addition of an extra row of seats which will appeal to those looking for a more family-oriented SUV that also looks great.
The addition of the brand new diesel engine will increase the CR-V's appeal with the Indian audience as well, which will hopefully for Honda lead to more customers choosing the new CR-V if they keep the pricing aggressive.
